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The issue of lowballing... What does that mean?

I LOVE Audiogon. I have purchased and sold many items here and it is a wonderful resource for audio nuts of every variety. Big solid state, tubes, analog, vinyl? Sure it all goes.

So I see posts that are make offer but the seller says "lowballers" will be ignored, vilified, cursed and cussed. So why have a make offer sale? Something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. It doesn't matter what you paid for it, or how much you love it. And why be upset? Declining requires one mouse click. Countering maybe five or six clicks or keystrokes. Just curious as this is a commerce site.

I have received offers that seemed really low to me, but I am still happy to have interest and I always counter offer. I recently sold a Clearaudio TT for a lot less than I thought it was worth. But all the offers were low and I had to rethink my view. It ultimately sold as a real bargin but I'm happy and so is the buyer.

Your thoughts?
superbike

Showing 1 response by akg_ca

akg_ca's avatar
akg_ca
2,335 posts
 
ZYDO nailed it:

IN partcular:

" ... When someone sends a "lowball" offer, they know it. I don't really think anyone ever sells for that kind of price. .. Its a waste of time for both. ...I don't do it, and I personally find it irritating...."

IMO it goes well past simply "irritating" and takes it into "insulting" by all-too-many time-wasting bottom-feeders.

There used to be an honor code and an accepted /expected sense of fairplay in this hobby that is frequently now being ignored. These latter types also ignore the time honoured axion that says that if you are a pig you get fat, but if you are a hog you get slaughtered.

Result: I ignore the lowballers, also take note of them and brand them as such, and keep them out ad infinitum.
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